Shelf-roll for bookcases



(NO Mod l.)

G; B. GODFREY. SHELF ROLL FOR BOOKGASES.

N0.'499,672. Patented June 13, 1893.

UNITED STATES 'ATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES E. GODFREY, OF MILFORD, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO THE LIBRARY BUREAU, OF MASSACHUSETTS.

SHELF-ROLL FOR BOOKCASES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 499,672, dated June 13, 1893.

Application filed January 12, 1893. Serial No. 458,136. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES B. GODFREY, of Milford, county of Vorcester, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Shelf-Rolls for Bookcases, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention has for its object the production of a simple, cheap and effective shelf roll for use in book-cases, employed to hold large volumes, wherein the shelves are provided with a series of rolls which project slightly above the upper surface and upon which the side cover of the book bears andis supported as it is slid into place on its side.

In accordance therewith myinvention consists in the combination with a shelf roll for book-cases, of a recessed support, and a detachable roll, combined with an independent retaining device to keep both the roll and support in place, substantially as will be described.

Figure 1 of the drawings in plan View, and partly in section, represents a book-shelf with my invention applied thereto. Fig. 2, on an enlarged scale, is a top view of a shelf-roll em bodying my invention. Fig. 3 is a section thereof on theline 00, 0c, and Fig. 4 is a section on the line y, y, Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a modification in section to be described.

As represented in Fig. 1 a shelf S is supported by the uprightsA in section, the shelf being provided with a series of rolls and their supports, five being herein shown, the latter consisting of a support a, made preferably of cast metal, having parallel sides a separated bya recess cl extending through the support, said recess being reduced at its ends as at d and substantially conical thereat, said reduced portions forming bearings for a cylindrical roll I), also preferably of metal, and having conical ends to form journals therefor, the said roll, as will be seen from Figs. 2 and 3, resting in the recess (1, the cylindrical or central portion of said roll projecting slightly above the top of the support a. The journals b of the roll rest loosely in the bearings d, d, and are retained in place by suitable retaining devices, herein shown as headed screws 6, which are extended through perforations in the ends of the support aadjacent to the ends d of the recess, said retaining device entering the material of the shelf S, as shown in Fig. 8.

The bottom 01 of the support is rounded and forms preferably the arc of a circle, whereby the support may be seated in a recess having a similarly convexed bottom, a very convenient way of making said recess being to cut it with a saw or rotary cutter of the proper thickness and diameter to correspond with the thickness and curvature of the bottom of the support, the recess being of sufficient depth to permit the top of the support to lie flush with the upper surface of the shelf, as shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5.

If it is desired the ends of the support may be hollowed out or cut away as at d to lighten the weight of the same without decreasing its strength.

In Fig. 5 I have shown the roll 6 as covered with a yielding material 0, such as rubber or felt, to form a yielding surface for the books.

By my improved construction herein described I am enabled to make the rolls and their supports very cheaply and to readily secure them to the shelves; furthermore the retaining device serves not only to hold the roll in place in its bearings in the support, but also to secure the latter to the shelf so that the shelf may be taken out or placed upon its edge if desired without the rolls becoming detached therefrom.

If it is desired to remove any of the rolls without removing the support it is only nec essary to loosen one of the retaining screws 6 when the corresponding end of the roll may be lifted off its bearings.

The arrangement shown in Fig. l I have found very effective and convenient, the central roll supporting the inner edge of the book as it is pushed into place on the shelf.

I claim 1. A shelf roll for book-cases, consisting of a recessed support, and a detachable roll, combined with an independent retaining device to keep both the roll and support in place, substantially as described.

with a retaining device adapted to extend over thejourn'als of and keep the roll in place and also to secure the support to the shelf, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES E. GODFREY.

WVitness'es:

JOHN (J. EDWARDS, AUGUSTA E. DEAN. 

